If you’ve read this column for any length of time, you’ll know one of my favourite topics to cover is the importance of wearing sunscreen and protecting your skin from all the ill effects that come from UV exposure. But what if, despite your very best efforts, you suddenly find yourself sunburned, dehydrated and altogether uncomfortable from too much time in the sun? If that happens, don’t panic. Here are my quick fixes for cooling down overly sun-kissed skin, along with the signs to stop treating it at home and seek medical attention instead. First things first, if you’ve had too much sun or if you’re sunburned, get out of the sun immediately and stay out of it. Drink water regularly, wear loose clothing and do everything you can to cool yourself down. Stay indoors if possible, use a fan, take a cool shower and if the heat is mainly affecting your face, neck or chest, use a cool compress for some instant relief. And cool is the operative word here. Do not, I repeat, do not use ice from the freezer directly on your skin, or ice packs – they can burn the skin and make it feel even worse than it already does. Once you’ve cooled down, it’s time to simplify your skincare. Pause all active products for a few days (or longer, if necessary). By active products, I mean things like retinol, vitamin C, exfoliating products and so on. Strip your skincare routine back to the absolute basics to help repair your skin barrier: a very gentle, non-exfoliating cleanser such as CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (€13 from Boots) or Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser (€24 from drsambunting.com). Use a barrier-repairing moisturiser like Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream (€28 from phare.store) or La Roche-Posay Dermallergo Soothing Cream (€26 from Boots), and, of course, sunscreen. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (€13 for 236ml at Boots) and Dr Sam's Flawless Cleanser (€24 from drsambunting.com) Sunscreen is essential all year round, but when your skin is already inflamed and irritated, protecting it from further UV exposure is non-negotiable. Apply generously to the face, neck, chest and any other exposed skin before going anywhere, and reapply every two hours or more frequently if you’re swimming, exercising or sweating heavily. Sunscreen will not stay on indefinitely, and you can never apply too much really, so to use a very technical term – lash it on. Some of my favourite everyday sunscreens include Solas Skin Hydrating Face Cream SPF50 (€34.99 from solasskin.ie), CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF50 (€21.99 from Boots) and SKN TO SKN Glow & Go Daily Moisturiser SPF30 (€38 from millies.ie). Solas Skin Hydrating Face Cream SPF50 (€34.99 from solasskin.ie) SKN TO SKN Glow & Go Daily Moisturiser with Mineral SPF30 (€38 from Boots) For instant relief on the face, I always keep a couple of repairing, calming sheet masks in the fridge. They’re cool enough to provide immediate relief, but not so cold that they’ll irritate the skin further. My all-time favourite option is Dr Jart Ceramidin Sheet Mask (€35 for a pack of five from Brown Thomas), closely followed by Skingredients Hydra-Hit Instant Facial Mask (€9 from skingredients.com) and Pestle and Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Sheet Mask (€19 for a pack of three from pestleandmortar.com).Dr Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Mask (€11 from Brown Thomas) and Skingredients Hydra-Hit Instant Facial Mask (€9 from skingredients.com) If you’re dealing with sunburn on the body, a cool shower or bath can feel amazing. Avoid hot water at all costs, as this can make the skin even more irritated. And when you hop out of the shower or bath, and your skin is still damp, slather on a soothing body cream or moisturiser to speed up healing. Damp skin is much more permeable than dry skin, so it will absorb more readily and feel especially comforting. Aloe vera-based formulas are particularly good for sunburned skin, like Dr Organic Aloe Vera Body Lotion (€11.69 from Holland & Barrett) or Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Body Lotion (€8.49 from Boots). Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Body Lotion (€8.49 from Boots) and Dr Organic Aloe Vera Body Lotion (€11.69 from Holland & Barrett) The scalp is another area that is often overlooked when it comes to sun exposure, and unfortunately, it’s one of the most uncomfortable when burned. Until it has healed, avoid hot showers, hair dryers, hair tools and other heat sources. A thin layer of something soothing and protective like CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment to the scalp (€13.50 from Boots) can help, as can regularly spritzing the area with Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray (€11.50 for 150ml from Boots). In the future, make sure to wear a hat whenever possible, and apply sunscreen to the hairline, hair parting, and any other exposed areas of the scalp. This is especially important if you’re experiencing male or female patterned hair loss. CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment (€12.50 from Boots) Finally, know when home care just isn’t enough. If you’re struggling to cool down, if you’re experiencing a temperature, chills, nausea, if you spot red streaks or blistering anywhere on the skin, or if you’re generally feeling unwell, seek medical attention as soon as possible. This week I’m loving … Hildun Beauty Blur BalmHildun Beauty Blur Balm (€16 from hildunbeauty.com) Multi-purpose products are still very much the moment, and Hildun Beauty has stepped up to the mark with the launch of Blur Balm (€16 from hildunbeauty.com). Three appealing shades: Soft Rose, Berry Blur and Velvet Peach, housed in palm-sized packaging and designed to be worn on the lips and cheeks. A creamy, almost gel-like formula at first swipe, it settles into a soft, almost diffused flush of colour on the skin.